Intermittent feed high-frequency electrical apparatus for uniting dielectric materials



1 Jan. 13, 1948. H. J. LE VESCONTE ,32

INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR UNITING DIELECTRIC MATERIALS Filed Sept. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 f I I 5 i! 1'06 7 P l I I 110 a! 10.9 I 92 .93 114 w t 7 J6Z '53 I i n in I" I pm E a u. 5

' INVENTOR. $99042 .71: %1scawr Jap. 13, 1948.

H. J. LE VESCONTE 2,434,325 INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR UNITING DIELECTRIC MATERIALS Filed Sept. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. #990111 [15 VfJCO/Vff BY Jan. 13, 1948. H. J. LE VESCONTE 4,3

INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR UNITING DIELECTRIC MATERIALS Filed Sept. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 llllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllll" E nlll l W W i N INVEN TOR. /%9/ ?0AD fl: ksca/vr BY Jan. 13, 1948. H. J. LE VESCONTE 2.434.3

INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR UNITING DIELECTRICMATERIALS Filed Sept, 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet; 4

2,434,325 RATUS Jan. 13, 1948. 1 H. J. LE VESCONTE INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPA FOR UNITING DIELECTRIC MATERIALS Filed Sept. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III I l L INVENTOR (ZZZ/360??? viva-W5;

Patented Jan. 13, 1948 INTERMITTENT FEED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR UNITING DIELECTRIC MATERIALS Harold J. Le Vesconte, Glendale, Calif., assignor to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago,

111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 9, 1944,, Serial No. 553,443

4 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for electrically uniting or bonding together two or more materials at least one of which becomes plastic upon being subjected to heat and pressure. The present invention concerns what may be properly considered as being in the nature of an electronic sewing machine in that it utilizes an ultra high "frequency electric current to obtain an eiiective and adequate bonding together of two or more superposed layers of the materials that are to be united.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide suitable, trouble-free apparatus having certain work-advancing parts which are actuated intermittently in the course of operation of the electronic seaming devices to electrically obtain an effective and efiicient joining together of two or more layers of material, at least one of which is thermoplastic in character.

Another object of this invention is to improve the character of the seam resulting from the operation of the apparatus of the type indicated by the provision of certain parts so arranged as to bring about the intermittent feeding and joining together of the materials under consideration. A more effective and more rapid union of the materials to be united is brought about throu h the stitchin efiect provided by the intermittent advance of the work.

This invention has for another object the provision of intermittent feed electrical uniting apparatus that is particularly adapted for and may be advantageously employed in uniting and sealing the closure portions of bags, packaged articles and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the character indicated above, which is sturdy in design and construction, and reasonable in initial and operating costs. By virtue of the relatively few moving parts employed in accordance with this invention and the relationship of these parts to each other, maintenance costs are reduced to a minimum.

In accordance with my instant invention, appropriate high frequency current is supplied to a pair of wheels or rollers constituting electrodes that are suspended and arranged to rotate in opposite direction on substantially vertical and parallel axes and that have their peripheral surfaces closely adjacent, but spaced apart at all times to prevent direct contact therebetween, even when not separated by work. The supporting structure for the wheels is positioned above and to one side of the wheels, thereby leaving a clear space below the wheels and permitting the materials to be bonded to extend below the wheel and be fed therebetween. The apparatus includes means for impartin intermittent rotation to both wheels simultaneously, which means is disposed within a housing and is adjustable from the exterior of the housing.

The aforementioned, as well as other objects, together with the numerous advantages that may be attained by the practice of this invention, will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein.

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, partly in vertical cross-section, of a machine embodying the invention, with certain parts omitted;

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section taken along line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the various parts of an adjusting mechanism, shown in assembled and operative relationship in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view taken to Figure 1, partly in cross-section. Certain parts omitted in Figure 1 are illustrated in Figure 4, while certain other parts shown in Figure 1 are omitted in Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus depicted in Figure 4 with the top cover plate removed;

Figures 6 and 7 are two views of a link or arm employed in the illustrated embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a top plan view, similar to Figure 5, but with certain parts removed;

Figures 9 and 10 are two views of a connector used in the illustrated embodiment of the invention; and I Figures 11 and 12 illustrate materials to be bonded together by the apparatus of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings. wherein like reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, numeral I 5 generally indicates a housing, formed preferably as a metallic casting and consisting of an upstanding hollow base It and an overhanging bracket arm H. A readily removable top cover plate i8 is secured to bracket arm ll by means of a plurality of stud bolts i9, while a rear cover plate 29 is similarly removably secured to base It by a plurality of stud bolts 2!, As will be observed in Figures 1 and 8, hous- Speed controller 21 is provided with a rotatableknob 28 for manually adjusting thesamey this knob actuates an indicator pointer'r29sthat is:

adapted to ride in a slot 30. A plate 3| is carried by speed controller 21, parallel to slot 30, ,and is provided with graduations ori'likeindicia' 32 that serve as visual aids in the'adjustment of the.

speed of unit 24. A drive shaft 33, extending through and beyond unit 24,=carries.axdrive pulley 34 which is affixed thereto by means of a. set. A horizontally disposed driven shaft screw 35. 35 extends through and beyond the confines of hollow base 16 (Fig. 2) and has combined handwheels and pulleys 31-and38- secured'to its opposite ends by set screws 39"and40, respectively. An open V-belt 4| transmits rotational energy from drive pulley 34 to combined hand-wheel and pulley 31 to thereby'impart rotation to driven shaft 36. As is depicted in -Figure2, shaft 36 is rotatable in sleeve bearings 4i and 42 which are mounted in bearing housings 43 and 44, respectively. Shaft 36 is restrainedfromaxial movement by collars 45 and 46 that are maintained in desired position by set screws-41' and 48, respectively. Another collar 49, that is attached to shaft 36 by a set screw 50; carries afrusto-conical flange the lower portion of which flange lS immersed in a pool of a suitable liquid lubricant 52, such as an oil, that'iscontainedin a well, formed by a horizontal partition 53'and-the internal side walls of baselfir" Flange-5|, as it-rotates with shaft 36, picks up small quantities of oil in the course of itsmovement through pool 52 and throws the oil by centrifugal action to all parts of the'interior of "the'upper portion of base l6. thereby lubricating the apparatus'disposed therein,

Now follows adescripti'on' of a'mechanism' actuated by shaft 36 and-adapted to impart intermittent or step bystep' rotation' to" a. pair, of wheels or rotary electrodes which will'be subsequently discussed. This includes a collar-55 that is secured to shaft 36'by'a set screw'56 andthat has an eccentric 51 formed integral. therewith and hence rotatable with "shaft 36. Oneend of apitman 58 is formed as'a' strap which embraces eccentric 51. while the other end embracesaleg' or stud 59 that is integral with or'oth'erwise'secured to and extends at a right. angle from a link 60 which, as shown in Figures Sand'l, is provided with bores 6i and 63. A ball 'stud'62 is disposed in bore BI and projects beyond thefree end of leg 59. A set screw 64 connectsone end oflink 60 to a pin 65 which extends through and beyond each end of bore 63. A connector 66 receives the ends of pin 65 as shown'in Figurese and 5. Two views of this connector are depicted in Figures 9 and 10, wherein there is illustrated a;collar 61 from which extends an arm'68 that is recessed at 69. Arm 68 is provided with co axial bores ill and H for receiving andfreely supporting the end portions of pin 65.

A stem 12 that carries a serrated adjusting disc 13 at one end has fastened to it, at its-other end, a collar 6'! which is secured by a set screw 14. Stem i2 is mounted in'a bearing-sleeve 15 which is carried by a housing fli'that has'a recess 11 in its enlarged outer end for the partial reception of disc 13. Housing 16 is provided with a plurality of preferably equidistant openings i8 which receive the shank and head portions of stud bolts 19 whereby housing 18 is rigidly attached to hollow standard i6. An indicator notch 86 and a tapped opening 8| are provided in housing 16, One of the openings 18, notch 89 and tapped opening 8| are preferably all positioned on the vertical diameter of the outer end of housing 18, as illustrated in Figure 3. The outer end surface of disc 13 carries appropriate graduations or the like which cooperate with notch 88 to indicate the angular position of con nector 56 with respect to the frame of the machine or a vertical plane through the axis of stem 72. An arcuate slot 83 extends through disc 13, this slot being adapted to register with tapped opening 8|. A knurled thumb screw is arranged to extend through slot 83 and have threaded engagement with tapped opening 8|. It will be observed that with the arrangement illustrated and described, adjusting disc 13 may be rotated about its axis to the extent allowed by slot 83. It may be locked in any set position by tightening the thumb screw 85. A washer 34 is preferably provided between the head of the thumb screw and the face of disc 13.

A rod 86, that is adjustable in length, is coupled at one end to ball stud 62 and at its other end to a second ball stud 81 at the outer end of an arm 83 which is operatively connected to a one-way clutch mechanism, of a type known to the art, and generally denoted by numeral 83. Clutch mechanism 89 may be of the same construction as the one illustrated and described in Hacklander Patent 2,043,749.

Secured to the driven member of clutch 89 and rotatable therewith is ashaft 90 that is journaled in a bushing 8i, A collar 92 abutting the lower end of bushing BI is attached to shaft 9!! by a set screw 93 and serves to hold the clutch assembly against axial movement. Numeral 94 generally designates a wheel or roller which serves as one of the rotary electrodes employed with this invention and which is attached to the lower end of shaft 90 by a set screw 95. Wheel 94 comprises a hub and main body portion 95 that is made of a suitable electrical insulating material and a metal ic rim having good electrical conductive properties and consisting of an annular ring 91 that constitutes the periphery of wheel 94, and an inwardly extending radial flange 98 integral with ring 91.

Secured to the upper end of shaft 90 by a set screw IE]! is a gear wheel I02. preferably composed of a non-conducting, laminated or fibrous, molded or plastic material. which meshes with a second gear wheel I03. of like size and of the same or similar composition, which is connected by a set screw M4 to the upper end of a stub shaft I05. Stub shaft I35 is rotatable in a bushing I06 and is connected at its lower end to the upper member of a universal or floating coupling H11, the lower member of which in turn is connected to the upper end of a shaft I08. Shaft [58 is rotatable in a corresponding bushing I05 that is carried by a bracket Ill) attached to a horizontal rock shaft III by a set screw H2. A second wheel or roller H3, which serves as the other rotary electrode of this invention, is fastened to the lower end of shaft I08 by a set screw H4. Wheel I I3 possesses good electrical conductive properties and is preferably of the same size and configuration as wheel 94 described above.

The peripheral surface of each of the wheels or rotary electrodes 94 and I I3 is preferably smooth, but may be serrated or otherwise roughened slightly, if desired, in order to provide adequate traction in feeding the materials to be joined together in the manner to be explained.

Disposed within a partially enclosed space in the overhanging bracket arm I1, but outside of the lubricant-containing chamber thereof, and clamped to shaft III is an L-shaped lever H6, consisting of a vertical arm Ill and a horizontal arm II8 (see Fig. 4). The free end of arm II 1 is located between a pair of eccentric stops H9 and I20 which are attached to the inner portions of a pair of studs I2! and 122, respectively, having slotted heads accessible from the exterior of the frame. The gap between the peripheries of the eccentric stops, along a line through the axes of studs I2I and I22, and the location of this gap may be readily varied by turning either or both of the studs a desired predetermined extent to thereby adjust the throw of the upper end of vertical arm H1 and to alter the position of its range of movement. Studs I2I and I22 are maintained in desired position by set screws I23 and I24, respectively. The free end of horizontal arm I I8 has a vertical opening I25 through which a pull rod I26 is freely slidable. The upper end of pull rod I26 carries a head I21 of such size and shape as to bear upon horizontal arm IIB, upon predetermined downward movement of rod I26. Rod I26 is slidable through an adjusting sleeve I28 which is in threaded engagement with a projection I29 of base I6. This adjusting sleeve carries an internally threaded lock-nut I39 which bears against the under surface of projection I29. A U-shaped stop I3I is mounted on the upper end of sleeve I28 and is formed with a pair of horizontal legs I32 and I33 through which pull rod I26 is adapted to pass. (See Figs. 4 and 8). A collar I34 that is secured to rod I26 by a set screw I35 and a compression spring I36, concentric with rod I26, are located intermediate the legs of the U-stop and tend to normally urge pull rod I26 upwardly to maintain head I21 out of engagement with horizontal arm II8. A second compression spring 131, concentric with pull rod I26, bears against the upper surface of leg I33 of U-stop i3I and the under surface of the free end of arm H3 to normally tilt L-lever H6 in a clockwise direction (see Fig. 4) and cause the free end of arm II1 to bear against stop I26. It will be observed that at this time shaft III, which is coupled to lever H6, tends to also rotate in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. As viewed in Figure 1 this arrangement normally tends to rotate shaft III in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, thereby actuating bracket H and urging the peripheral surface of rotary electrode H3 to its nearest position with respect to the peripheral surface of rotary electrode 94. These peripheral surfaces are preferably never permitted to come in direct contact with each other but are spaced a suitable distance as controlled by vertical arm I I1 of L-lever H6 and eccentric stop I26.

The operator may impart a downward pull to rod I26 by any suitable means, such as a treadle actuated connection (not shown). This serves to swing the wheel H3 outwardly away from Wheel 94 to facilitate the introduction of work between them. So also the wheel I I3 is permitted to swing outwardly as required to accommodate different thicknesses of the work. As the work is being acted upon, the wheel 3 will be urged yield ingly against it and toward the roller 94 by the spring I31. Access to adjusting sleeve I28 and the other parts associated with pull rod I26 may be readily had by simply removing a cover plate I38 which is attached to projection I29 by a screw I39.

Referring next to Figures 1 to 8, I have illustrated therein means for supplying a suitable high frequency current to rotary electrodes 94 and I I3. This means includes a high frequency oscillation generator I49, of any suitable construction that is connected to a source of electrical supply (not shown) by a conductor cable I4I and that is disposed below and secured to the under surface of table 22 by a pair of brackets I42 and I43. Concentric lines, consisting of an outer tubular conductor I44 and an inner conductor I45 that emerge from generator I49 at I46, pass through an opening I41 in table 22 and conduct the high frequency current to wheels 94 and I I3 in a manner now to be explained.

Tubular conductor I44 is connected to base I6 by means of an electrically conductive bracket I48, that is attached to base I6 by a screw I49, and is, therefore, in electrical communication with outer wheel 'I I3. Inner conductor I45, which is insulated from conductor I44 by means of insulators MM, is in series electrical communication with a bar conductor I59, a spring strip conductor I5I, and flange 63, in the order set forth, inner conductor I45 and bar conductor I50 being connected to an insulator I52 by means of a screw or terminal post I53, and bar conductor I59 and spring strip conductor I5I being connected to a similar insulator I55 by means of a screw or terminal post I55. Insulators I52 and I54 are secured in any convenient manner to hollow base I6. A small neon lamp I56 is in electrical communication with bar conductor I59 for the purpose of visually indicating the presence of high frequency current in the circuit. A curved guard I51, that is attached to the housing by a screw I58, is arranged in spaced relation to wheel 94 and serves to protect the operators hand from coming in contact with said wheel.

For best results, the conducting means for transmitting the high frequency current from the oscillation generator to the rotary electrodes should preferably be equal in length to onequarter of the wave length, at the operating frequency of oscillation generator I43, in order that maximum voltage may be applied to wheels 94 and H3. The most desirable frequency of the current supplied by oscillation generator I42 and the electrical power input to rotary electrodes 94 and H3 are factors which may be readily determined by persons skilled in the art and will depend to some extent upon the character of the materials to be joined together and the nature of the bond to be obtained.

A partially filled bag is generally indicated by numeral I69 in Figure 4.. The upper end of the bag is folded or otherwise manipulated so as to obtain at I fiI two or more portions in abutting relation, which portions are to be joined together by the apparatus of this invention. As was stated earlier herein, at least one of the mate rials to be united must be thermoplastic in composition. The upper part I6! of bag I63 may consist of two (2) dielectric materials I62 and IE3 (Fig. 11), either or both of which may be thermoplastic, or may consist of two (2) dielectric non thermoplastic materials I64 having a suitable thermoplastic material I65 interposed th'erebetween (Fig. 12). In either event, part l6] of the bag is introduced between rotary electrodes 94 and H3. Part |6| should be of greater thickness than the minimum spacing between the peripheral surfaces of the rotary electrodes with the result that when the-same is introduced therebetween, rotary electrode H3 is yieldingly moved toward the right as viewed in Figure 4. Driving unit 24 and high frequency oscillation generator Mt are placed in service, the driving unit imparting intermittent 01' step by step rotation to rotary electrodes 94 and H3 through the medium of driven shaft 36, eccentric 5T, clutch 89, and the devices interposed therebetween, as is more fully explained in the above-mentioned Hacklander patent.

The high frequency current supplied by oscillation generator Mi! creates an electric field in the materials to be united in the region of their contact with the rotary electrodes, and the heat generated in the materials by this electric field causes the thermoplastic material to become sticky or tacky, whereby the materials are joined together. Due to the intermittent rotation of the rotary electrodes about their respective axes, it will be apparent that certain portions of the material will be subjected to heat for a shorter interval of time than other portions. In other words, as part 55! of the bag is being fed into and beyond the bight of the rollers in the course of each increment of rotation of the electrodes, the heat generated therein is of relatively short duration as compared to the heat generated when the rotary electrodes are at rest. This results in a series of alternate relatively less secure and more secure areas of adherence between the materials under consideration, the more secure areas of adherence being in the nature of spot welds or the seam as a whole being in the nature of a stitch bond. The magnitude of the increments of rotation of rotary electrodes 9 and H3 may be adjusted, as desired, by adjusting the throw of arm 88 during each revolution of shaft 35 as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the above description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, and as is more fully explained in said Hacklander patent. It will be understood that the electrically conductive portions of rotary electrodes 96 and H3 are likewise good heat conductors and therefore serve to prevent any overheating of the surfaces of the work directly engaged by the rotary electrodes.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages obtainable by the practice of my instant invention will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. It is to be borne in mind, however, that various changes in the apparatus, herewith illustrated and described, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described com.- prising a housing including a generally upstanding base and a bracket arm extending laterally of the base, a pair of substantially vertical and parallel shafts carried by the bracket and projecting therebelow, at least the peripheral por tion of each wheel being electrically conductive, means permitting movement of one wheel toward and away from the other wheel, resilient means for normally and yieldingly urging said one wheel toward said other wheel, means including the wheels for creating a high frequency electric fieldv between said peripheral portions of .the

wheels, and driving means electrically insulated at least in part from the last mentioned means for imparting intermittent and simultaneous r0,-

tation to the wheels, said driving means includ-. ing a continuously rotating member and at least one oscillatory element operatively connected to the rotating member and the shafts.

2. In apparatus for uniting work consisting of a plurality of parts arranged in layers, at least one of which parts is thermoplastic, the combination comprising means for engaging and advancing the work and for delivering a high frequency electrical current thereto, said means including a pair of wheels normally rotatable about substantially parallel axes and having peripheral portions disposed in cooperative relation adapted to receive the work therebetween; means permitting movement of one wheel toward and away from the other wheel; resilient means for normally and yieldingly urging said one wheel toward said other wheel; means for moving said one wheel away from said other wheel against the action of the resilient means; means for imparting intermittent rotation to at least one of the wheels, said last-mentioned means including a rotary driving unit and a mechanism for translating continuous rotation of the driving unit into successive intere mittent increments of rotary movement of said last-mentioned wheel; means for generating a high frequency electrical current; and means for connecting said generating means with said firstmentioned means whereby a high frequency field is created in the region of the cooperating portions of the wheels.

3. In apparatus for uniting work consisting of a plurality of parts arranged in layers, at least one of which parts is thermoplastic, the combina-v tion comprising means for engaging and advancing the Work and for delivering a high frequency electrical current thereto, said means including a pair of spaced wheels normally rotatable about substantially parallel axes and having portions disposed in cooperative relation adapted to receive the work therebetween; means permitting movement of one wheel toward and away from the other wheel; resilient means for normally and yieldingly urging said one wheel toward said other wheel; means for moving said one wheel away from said other wheel against the action of the resilient means; means for imparting simultaneous and intermittent rotation to both of the wheels, said last-mentioned means including a rotary driving unit and a mechanism for translating continuous rotation of the driving unit into successive intermittent increments of rotary movement of both wheels; means for generating a high frequency electric current; and means for connecting said generating means with said wheels whereby a high frequency field is created between the wheels.

4. In apparatus for uniting work consisting of a plurality of parts arranged in layers, at least one of which parts is thermoplastic, the combination comprising a housing including an upstanding base and a bracket arm extending laterally of the base, a pair of substantially vertical and parallel shafts carried by the bracket arm and projecting therebelow, a wheel secured to the lower part of each shaft rotatable therewith, said Wheels having their peripheral portions disposed in spaced cooperative relation adapted to receive the work therebetween, means permitting movement of one wheel toward and away from the other wheel, resilient means for normally and yieldingly urging said one wheel toward the other wheel, means for moving said one wheel away from the other wheel against the action of the resilient means, rotary driving means carried by the housing to the side thereof remote from the bracket arm, means disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the driving means and to the shafts for converting continuous rotation of the driving means to intermittent and simultaneous rotation of both wheels, said last-mentioned means being adjustable from the exterior of the housing to vary the length of intermittent movement of the wheels, means for generating a high frequency electric current, and means for connecting said generating means with said wheels whereby a high frequency field is created between the peripheral portions of the wheels.

HAROLD J. LE VESCONTE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Hoyler, An Electronic Sewing Machine, Electronics, August, 1943. Pages 90-93, 160, 162, 164, 166 and 168 (particularly pages 91 and 92). Copy in Scientific Library. (Reprint in Division 60.) 

